According to this fascinating story at The New York Times Magazine (online several days ahead of its Sunday publication), that's what he is worried about.
Matthews has always been outspoken, from his early days when he was involved in several political campaigns to his current stint at NBC and MSNBC. He's worried that the "suits" at the network want him out and even says that several people at the network are wondering why he is being profiled in the Times instead of Keith Olbermann, who seems to be the top ratings getter at the network right now.
Anyway, it's a really intriguing piece. You probably learn more about Matthews in this one article than you did all of the years watching him on TV or reading books, from his college and work background to his admiration on how hot Lou Rawls' wife is to his handing out of business cards. He hands them out to people and says to call anytime "if you ever want to hang out with Chris Matthews" (ugh - that would be odd even if he didn't refer to himself in the third person).
Matthews has been with NBC for a very long time and currently hosts two shows on the network (Hardball and The Chris Matthews Show) as well as co-hosting election coverage and other special shows. But he makes it clear in this interview, probably as a shot across the bow of NBC, that he has a lot of options. His contract is up in June 2009, and there's even talk of him running for office.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-09-2008 @ 6:44PM
C. Paris said...
Could be his recent borderline-racist comments about Barack Obama being good at basketball, but not bowling, are the final straw. Coming off a recurringly sexist set of comments about Hillary, and his overt gushing praise for McCain, seems to show that he has abandoned any notion of being a fair journalist, and will resort to the worse kinds of blather to get his guy into office.
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4-09-2008 @ 9:37PM
gary klein said...
You must be watching a different show than I am. Matthews has been and continues to be a not so subtle opponent of the war. To think he is a McCain supporter tells me it's time for you to get your hearing checked.
4-10-2008 @ 9:08AM
Chris Paris said...
Opposing the war does not = opposing McCain. If you think that way, then at one point McCain opposed this war, and thus opposed himself. Chris Matthews may be sketchy on support for the war, but his support of McCain is nothing shy of fawning.
4-09-2008 @ 7:06PM
Giza said...
He won't be missed. I used to enjoy his show but he is insulting to the nth degree these days, with his 'archie bunker' democrats etc.
All I can think of when I see him now is that tingling in his leg comment he made after Obama's speech, ughh, offputting.
Hope Olbermann is next, his fake tan and smug demeanor get worse by the day.
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4-09-2008 @ 7:51PM
Oreo said...
Several people now have made the "racist" joke about Obama and basketball, including this week's Newsweek .
But I HATE him, I can't stand him. He is the second worst person on the network besides Joe S from "Morning Joe".
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4-09-2008 @ 8:38PM
Ken said...
Chris Matthews and team deserve the highest accolades for their excellent work dredging up the corruption of the Bush Administration, and their unparalled reporting on the 2008 presidential electoral cycle. The tendentious piece in the
NYTimes was laughable in its ad hominen attack, and was pure politics, trotted out in desperation to bolster the sinking Clinton campaign. We can only hope Matthews runs for the Senate, as our country could benefit highly from his insights and humanity. Folks, please read more books, maybe even Then Nation magazine!
Peace, Ken
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4-09-2008 @ 9:17PM
Smiley said...
Talk to any woman who's been on his show. This clown is a sexual harassment lawsuit waiting to happen. Good riddance.
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4-09-2008 @ 10:05PM
Scott H said...
He should not be co-anchoring MSNBC's election coverage. He's a "personality" at best, who should be brought in in limited doses. Olbermann knows when to show his personality and when to be an anchor. Matthews has no clue about that distinction. The "tingle up my leg" comment was creepy.
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4-10-2008 @ 12:03AM
Andrew said...
I say get rid of him and give Rachel Maddow her own show in his place.
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4-10-2008 @ 3:47AM
MERVE-THE-PERVE said...
NBC is looking to kill 2 birds with 1 stone. They want to get rid of Darrell Hammond too.
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4-10-2008 @ 9:28AM
keidalgrim said...
Frankly, it's beyond astonishing that this so-called "cable news network" continues to exist. Imus was a breath of fresh air compared to the rest of these windbags (especially that orange-faced, mushroom-headed, Media Matters ass-licking Keith Olbermann.
Granted, there are people out there who really enjoy hearing their beliefs echoed back at them, and for those of that ilk, this network delivers. But if there's anyone in this crowd who actually believes that this network employs what used to be called "journalists," then I envy their ability to go forth blissfully unfettered by truth or facts.
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4-10-2008 @ 10:42AM
Uncle Nothing said...
"Imus was a breath of fresh air..."
That you think Imus is a breath of fresh anything and felt it necessary only to comment on KO's looks tells me all I need to know about your views on journalism.
4-11-2008 @ 10:34AM
RYAN HEALEY said...
Personally, I stopped watching Hardball recently because I grew tired of Matthews bashing of Hillary Clinton day after day. Obama can do nothing wrong and, in fact, he acts like he has a teenage crush on Obama. Hillary, no matter what she does, gets bashed over the head by Matthews and he does he best to put a negative spin on anything related to her. I am not saying the Clinton's are saints. However, I want to see a BALANCED reporting on what is happening right or wrong with each campaign, not an hourlong attempt by Chris Matthews to profess his love for Obama and personal dislike to Clinton. THAT is NOT his job.
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5-19-2008 @ 11:21PM
Cynthia said...
Amen! They do not hide their dislike for her at all.
4-13-2008 @ 12:11AM
sam said...
msnbc needs to git rid of both kieth and chris and get back to real news. ok we get it they love Barak! Enough already!news news news!
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